Product Description
In the realm of advanced materials, silicon nitride balls stand out as a revolutionary component, offering unmatched strength and lightweight properties that surpass traditional materials like steel and zirconia. As industries push for higher performance and durability, understanding the benefits and applications of silicon nitride balls becomes crucial.
Silicon nitride (Si3N4) balls are precision-engineered components made from a ceramic material renowned for its mechanical strength and versatility. These balls exhibit exceptional resistance to wear, heat, and corrosion, making them ideal for demanding applications across various industries. Key properties of silicon nitride balls include:
- High Heat Resistance: Silicon nitride balls can withstand temperatures up to 1800°F without losing strength or hardness, making them suitable for high-temperature environments.
- Low Friction: Their low friction coefficient reduces wear and tear, improving the efficiency and lifespan of mechanical systems.
- Lightweight: Approximately 58% lighter than steel, silicon nitride balls reduce centrifugal force and wear during high-speed operations, benefiting applications where weight reduction is critical.
- Chemical and Corrosion Resistance: Silicon nitride is chemically inert, resisting corrosion even in harsh environments, thus prolonging the lifespan of components.
When comparing silicon nitride balls to traditional steel and zirconia options, several advantages become evident:
Silicon nitride balls boast a hardness rating of around 1,400 Vickers, significantly higher than steel balls, which range from 600 to 700 Vickers. This increased hardness makes them more resistant to wear and surface damage, ensuring longevity even under high-stress conditions.
Silicon nitride balls are about 60% lighter than steel balls, which is crucial for applications requiring reduced weight, such as aerospace and high-speed machinery. This lightweight nature enhances performance by reducing energy consumption and improving efficiency.
Unlike steel, silicon nitride balls maintain their structural integrity in extreme heat, making them ideal for high-temperature applications like turbines and engines. Their lower thermal expansion reduces the need for extensive cooling, further optimizing performance.
Silicon nitride balls are highly resistant to corrosion, even in environments with acids, alkalis, and seawater. This makes them a superior choice for industries where corrosion is a major concern, such as marine and chemical processing.
Silicon nitride balls are favored in a wide range of industries for their advanced performance capabilities:
In aerospace applications, silicon nitride balls enhance the durability and performance of key components. Their ability to withstand extreme conditions is critical in high-stakes environments:
- Aircraft Engines and Turbines: Silicon nitride balls maintain strength in extreme heat, reducing wear and extending the service life of engines and turbines.
- Lightweight Components: Their reduced weight improves fuel efficiency and allows for greater payload capacities.
With the rise of electric and autonomous vehicles, silicon nitride balls are becoming increasingly important in the automotive sector:
- Electric Motors and Generators: Non-conductive silicon nitride balls prevent electrical corrosion, enhancing the durability of motor components.
- High-Speed and High-Impact Environments: Their toughness and low friction improve the performance and lifespan of engines and turbochargers.
In industrial settings, silicon nitride balls reduce friction and wear, optimizing machine performance:
- Hybrid Bearings: Used in high-precision machines, silicon nitride balls ensure smooth operation and high accuracy.
- Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment: Their non-magnetic properties prevent interference with delicate manufacturing processes.
Silicon nitride balls contribute to the durability and reliability of renewable energy equipment, particularly in wind power:
- Wind Turbines: Silicon nitride balls handle heavy loads and improve durability, reducing maintenance needs and costs.
In the medical field, silicon nitride balls ensure the accuracy and reliability of diagnostic equipment:
- MRI Machines: Their non-magnetic nature prevents interference with magnetic fields, ensuring precise diagnostics.
| Property | Silicon Nitride (Si3N4) | Steel (440C) | Zirconia (ZrO2) | Alumina (Al2O3) |
| Density (g/cm³) | 3.2 | 7.8 | 6.0 | 3.9 |
| Hardness (HV) | 1,400–1,600 | 700–900 | 1,200–1,300 | 1,500–1,800 |
| Fracture Toughness (MPa·m½) | 6–7 | 15–20 | 7–10 | 3–4 |
| Compressive Strength (GPa) | 2.5–3.5 | 2.0–2.5 | 2.0–2.3 | 2.0–3.0 |
●Description:
Silicon Nitride Ceramic Ball is the most ideal bearing ball for bearing applications, due to the excellent properties of silicon nitride ceramics, it has many irreplaceable advantages comparing to traditional steel materials, such as: high mechanical strength, low wear loss, good self-lubrication, low density, high corrosion resistance, good electrical insulation etc.
Therefore, Silicon Nitride Balls are mostly used for some harsh working conditions: high speed/super speed bearings, high precision bearings, bearings in vacuum, high/low temperature bearings.
Moreover, Silicon Nitride Ceramic Balls can also used as valve ball or measurement balls in chemical pumps/high temperature pumps/metdering pumps.
●Physical Properties:
| Chemical Composition: | Si3N4≥95% |
| Bulk Density: | 3.2±0.05g/cm3 |
| Elastic Modulus: | 350GPa |
| Hardness Vickers: | 1870HV |
| Bending Strength: | 780MPa |
| Fracture Toughness: | 7.2MPa·m1/2 |
| Thermal Expansion Coefficient: | 3.2 10-6/K |
| Thermal Conductivity: | 25W/(m·K) |
● Ball Sizes/Grade :
| Size (mm) | Φ0.8-180 |
| Grade | Vdws | SPH | Vdwl | Ra |
| G3 | 0.05-0.08 | ≤0.08 | <0.13 | 0.01 |
| G5 | 0.08-0.13 | ≤0.13 | <0.25 | 0.014 |
| G10 | 0.15-0.25 | ≤0.25 | <0.5 | 0.02 |
| G16 | 0.2-0.4 | ≤0.4 | <0.8 | <0.025 |
| G20 | 0.3-0.5 | ≤0.5 | <1 | <0.032 |
| G100 | 0.4-0.7 | 0.4-0.7 | <1.4 | <0.0105 |
Factory equipment
Exhibition & Partner
Case
Ship to South Korea
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FAQ
1. What sizes and tolerances are available?
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Diameter range: 0.5mm to 50mm (custom sizes possible).
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Sphericity: As low as 0.1µm (Grade 5 for ultra-precision bearings).
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Surface finish: Ra < 0.02µm (mirror polish for low friction).
2. Are silicon nitride balls FDA-approved for medical use?
Yes! Si3N4 is biocompatible (ISO 6474-1) and used in spinal implants, dental devices, and joint replacements due to its antibacterial properties.
3. How do I choose the right Si3N4 balls for my application?
Consider:
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Load & speed requirements (dynamic/static stress).
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Temperature range (Si3N4 excels in high heat).
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Chemical exposure (resistant to most acids/alkalis).
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Electrical insulation needs (non-conductive).
